Wheel cover



June 17, 1952 G. A. LYON 2,600,410

WHEEL COVER Filed Aug. 1:, 1949 2 m'rs-smm 1 I 27: 5:72" cir' GfOAGf4255?; [you G. A. LYON WHEEL COVER June 17, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FiledAug. 15, 1949 137F217 Tar 60A 6 4155?; [mm

Patented June 17. 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL COVERGeorgeAlbert Lyon, Detroit, Mich. Application August 13, 1949, SerialNo. 110,096

18 Claims.

an improved wheel structure wherein a novel cover assembly is utilizedand by which brake drum cooling is promoted.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved wheelcoverwhich will assist in cooling the brake drum associated with a wheel onwhich the cover may be mounted.

According to the general features of the present invention there isprovided in a wheel structure including a wheel having a tire rim and awheel body arranged to be attached to the brake drum portion of avehicle chassis, the wheel body having air circulation openingstherethrough, and air circulation promoting means separably attachableto the outer side of the wheel and including means defining an aircirculation passage in association with the tire rim and other meansprojecting through the air circulation openings in the wheel body andenhancing the movement of air through said wheel openings intosaid-circulation passage in the rotation of the wheel.

According to other general features of the invention there is provided awheel structure including a tire rim and a load sustaining wheel bodyhaving brake drum air circulation openings therein, a cover for theouter side of the wheel including a portion substantially concealing thetire rim in spaced relation and providing with the tire rim an aircirculation passage from said wheel openings to the outer extremity ofthe tire rim, and a portion of the cover including air deflectingprojections extending into said openings and adapted to promote thecirculation of air from behind the wheel through said openingsand'through said-passage in the rotation of the wheel.

According to yet other general features of the invention there isprovided a wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehiclewheel including a tire rim and a load sustaining body portion havingbrake drum air circulation openings, means for attaching the cover tothe wheel, a portion of the cover being dimensioned to lie insubstantially concealing relation to the tire rim of a wheel and inspaced relation to the tire rim to provide a circulation passage fromthe wheel openings to the outer side of the tire rim, and extensionsprojecting from the cover generally axially inwardly and comprising airdeflectors to extend through said wheel openings toward the rear of thewheel for deflecting air through the wheel openings in the rotation ofthe wheel.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a vehicle wheel embodying thefeatures of the present in-- vention and showing the wheel coverassociated therewith partially broken away for purposes of illustration;v

Figure 2 -i's an enlarged radial sectional detail view takensubstantially on the line IIII of Fig. 1; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the novelcover of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

A vehicle wheel with which the present invention is concerned comprisesa load sustaining wheel body 5 and a tire rim 6 adapted to support apneumatic tire and tube assembly I. Both the wheel body and the tire rimare adapted to be made from appropriate gauge sheet metal, the wheelbody being stamped to form and the tire rim being preferably rolled intothe desired cross section.

The wheel body '5 comprises a metallic disk intermediately annularlyformed with a projecting reinforcing nose bulge 8 encircling a' centralbolt-on flange 9 arranged to be secured as by means of attachment screwsor bolts 10 in customary manner to an outwardly facing wall portion lloi a brake drum structure I2 carried by an axle assembly lZa of thechassis of an automotive vehicle. Goose-neck type cover-retaining springclips l3 may be carried by the bolt-on flange 9. At its outer periphery,the wheel body is formed with an attachment flange I4 which is suitablysecured as by welding .or riveting to. a base flange l5 of the tire rim.

The tire rim 6 is any preferred multi-flanged drop center type includingan outer side flange 11, intermediate flange l 8 and terminal flange l9.

Overheating of the brake drums presents a substantial problem to whichthe automotive industry is giving substantial attention at the presenttime. Inasmuch as during high speed opera- 3 tion the relatively widetire and tube assemblies now in use substantially shield the brake drumsof the associated wheels from the rearwardly moving air during operationoverheatin of the brake drum can easily occur.

According to the present invention improved means are provided forpromoting circulation of cooling air past and about the brake drum I2.To this end the wheel body 5 is provided with an appropriate: series ofair circulation apertures 20' therethroughat the radially outer side ofthe nose bulge 8 and preferably adjacent to the attachment flange M. Inthis way air may circulate through the wheel body and sincethe aircirculation apertures 20 are at the outer margin of the wheel body suchapertures are-gen erally in line with the periphery of..the. brake. drumH where cooling air circulation is desired.

However, the apertures 20 and the relatively. angular multi-flangeformation of the outer side of the;tire .rimw6 presents a fairly,unattractive appearance and it is therefore: adyantag oustocoventheisame ornamentally, Furthermore, it is desirable ptozprotect theair circulation apertures 20jas -.W.611= as other parts of the wheelfrom road splashtoward theouter sideof theheel. To this end, anornamental and protectivecoveril is provided for substantially covering;the outer side of the wheel. In the present instancethe cover 2! is ofthe full cover disk type including a central crown portion 22generallysimulatinga hub cap and ext ndin to the-:raditthrnutet side ofthe nosebulge H1 adjacent to theinner side of the air circulationopenings ,29 andyintegral in onesp e awith aradially outentrimrinaHaiti23;. Inorderto .promotezaircirculation, thettrim ringportion 23 isformed o: ie is bdt ntinlly concealing but space relation to the outchzideof theztirarimcand more particularly thezsidez-flan 11;,intermediate: flange I3: and: the. terminal. flange l9 whereby toprovide an airrcirculattion passa e 34. extendin nfi lly. adial y anaxially outwardly-:fromthe-air circulation-apertures 20. Thus the spacebetween thewuterextremity of the trim ringportionja of the cover andth eterminal fiance l9l'0fj' theutire' rim ,provideaan lair-circulation:cutlet opening annularlyentirely; about the-cover; 2i

Inzthe present instancethecover 2.! is, provided wi h snanr nnryeo fretainin means engas able with the retainingclip 13,. F01;"-thiS?Dl1lC-posea retainin -ring ,rnemberi is.- assembled; with thainner side-f the;trim ring cover portiorrifi. having its outer margin secured in assemblywith the trim: rine' crtion b m ans such as an a undertur edretaininand: reiniorcing Peripheral flange 2]; Erornthe. outer: peripheralconnectin flan t -r ta ng; r nem mber 5 extends generally radiallyinwardlyin snugiengageinent withthe-inner face-of the; trim ringportion-23 andlhasacentering and seating; inwardly extending reinforcingannular rib 23 which is adaptedltoseata ainstthe nosebulge 8- at theinner-sides. of the, air; circulation apertures 28 and may alsointernesting-l-y receive a complementary. groove; rib at the junctureofthe-cover portionslland 2,3; Eadially inwardl frcrnthe rib 28 theretaining ring; isrformed with an .annulanaxially outwardly extendingrelatively wide ribrformation 29 providing. aninwardly opening groovesforclearing the peak of the-nose bulge 8. Extending generally radiallyinwardly from the radially, inner side of the rib.flisr-acoverrattachment flange 30, whichjsarranged. to generallyoverlie. the bolt-on flan e? andwhich has anal propriate series of clipclearing apertures SI through which the heads of the retaining clips I3extend. Coinciding with the radially outer sides of the clip clearingapertures 3|, the flange 30 is formed with a clip bearing return bentreiniorcing fold 32 which is substantially rigid and is adapted to bearin snap-on pry-oil retaining relation against the cam faces oftheretaining clips [3.

In order to promoterbrake drum cooling air circulation through the wheelbody apertures 20 and the air circulation passage 24, the cover 2| isprovided with means cooperating with the air circulation apertures 20 todeflect air from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel throughthe-aperture -ZIJ during operation, that is rotatiQILDf theassociatedwheel, and especially in the high speed rotation of the wheel. In anadvantageous form, the air circulation promoting means comprises aseries of air deflectors 33 prol'fil fing generally axiallyinwardlylir'omthe cover through theair circulation,apertures meExpediently they-deflectors 33.,areiormedas integrally strucl: outdeflectorextensions or fingers derived by striking out appropriatevportion of the body of the retainingring memberZS: atrappropriateareasradially outwardlyfrom the reinforcing andwheel-engaging rib.28. andinnumber and position corresponding-to the wheel body circulationapertures 20, substantiallyasshown in Figures 2 and 3.

To efiect air circulation the deflectors 33: are formed as vanes.However-1 in order to permit use of the cover interchangeably oneitherthe left or righ s su a e i le. and. attain 1 eq al .efiici n yfor air'cir ulati npurp ses, cache: t

defle tor anes .33. is: formed .las; a two Wa a tructurelinclud naa.piroi qualopn sitely ta- Perina anewines .3 Aefi ctuat d yrbendinsleat fthe -defl ctor xtension alone a l ng tudina line towardepnositesides-best seenin ig. Theconstr-uction an relation'ehip of theedejlectorextensions 33. is: such with ,respecttotheair circulation apertures. 29.that they will extend freely through the apertures-20. to a substantialextent behind the wheelbodyintothe space between the wheel;bodyandthebrake. drum. Asa result, during rotationof the wheelairisdafiected by the deflector vanes. 33 from the rear to the outer side ofthe wheel and; about andpast the brake drum [2 and then onwardl-y,through and out of the airpassage 24.

Reference. is made tov'my oopending application, Serial .No, 54,699,filed Qctobenlfi, 19 8 for features shown but notclaimedherein.

I claim asmy invention;

1. In a wheel structurerincluding;aiwheetharins a t e r m and a-wheelbodyar angedom attached to the brake-drum portion oravehicle chassis,the wheel body having. air circulation op n s, th ret roush, nd a r.irculati n pro.- moting means separably attachable to theouter side ofthe; wheel and including means defining an air criculation passageinassoointiqn with the tire. rim and 7 other; means projecting; from saidair circulation promoting means through the air. circu ion op nin s the:wheel body a d hanc na e movement :ofeirthreu nsald wheel openings intosaidcirculation passageain the rotation of the Wheel.

2. A wheel structure including a tirerrimt lnd a load sustaining wheelbody having brake drum air circulation openings therein, a cover forther. sid he whee inc1uding:a- -portion sub.- stantie lr concealing the.tire. rim. in; spaced-re 5 l'ation' andproviding with the tire rim anair circulation passage from said wheel openings to the outer extremityof the tire rim, and a portion of the cover including air deflectingprojections extending into said openings and adapted to promote thecirculation of air from behind the wheel through said openings andthrough said passage in the rotation of the wheel.

3. A wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheelincluding a tire rim and a load sustaining body portion having brakedrum air circulation openings, means for attaching the cover to thewheel, a portion of the cover being dimensioned to lie in substantiallyconcealing relation to the tire rim of a wheel and in spaced relationto-the tire rim to provide a circulation passage from the wheel openingsto the outer side of the tire rim, and extensions projecting from thecover generally axially inwardly and comprising air deflectors to extendthrough said wheel openings toward the rear of the wheel for deflectingair through the wheel openings in the rotation of the wheel.

4. In combination in a wheel structure including a wheel and a brakedrum at the inner side of the wheel, the wheel including a body havingair circulation openings therein, and means attached to the wheel bodyand including air vane means located at said openings and projectingfrom one side of the wheel body through said openings to the other sideof the wheel body for promoting air circulation through said openings inthe rotation of the wheel.

5. In combination in. a wheel structure, a wheel having a body portionincluding brake drum air circulation openings and having cover retainingclips thereon, and a cover for the outer side of the wheel includingmeans for snap-on pry-oil engagement with said retaining clips and aircirculation promoting vanes projecting through the air circulationopenings.

6. In combination in a wheel structure, a

wheel having a body portion including brake said body portion having aseries of brake drum coolingair circulation openings therein, a coverfor the outer side of the wheel including a central crown portion and anouter trim ring portionhavjing a generally axially inwardly extendingannular juncture, and air circulation promoting extensions projectingfrom adjacent said juncture generally axially inwardly through saidapertures.

8. In a wheel structure including a wheel body having brake drum coolingair circulation apertures therein adjacent to the outer margin thereofja,wheel cover including a central crown por-= tion and a radially outertrim ring portion, means extending generally axially inwardly from thetrim ring portion to project through said air circulation apertures forpromoting air circulation therethrough, and means behind said crownportion for attachment of the cover to the wheel.

9. A cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel having awheel body formed with brake drum air circulation apertures, 21'. crownportion, a trim ring portion, said trim ring portion having meansextending generally axially inwardly for projection through the brakedrum air circulation apertures to promote air circulation therethrough,and means behind the crown portion for attachment of the cover to thewheel. I 10. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehiclewheel, an outer cover portion comprising integral crown and trim ringportions, and a retaining ring secured to the inner side of the trimring portion and having a portion projecting generally radially inwardlybehind the crown portion for attachment to a wheel, said retaining ringhaving generally axially inwardly extending vane projections adapted toextend through brake drum cooling air circulation apertures in the wheelwith which the cover is associated.

11. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, anouter cover portion comprising integral crown and trim ring portions,and a retaining ring secured to the inner side of the trim ring portionand having a portion projecting generally radially inwardly behind thecrown portion for attachment to a wheel, said retaining ring havinggenerally axially inwardly extending vane projections adapted to extendthrough brake drum cooling air circulation apertures in the wheel withwhich the cover is associated, said extensions being integrally struckout from said retaining ring.

12. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheelhaving brake drum air circulation apertures therein, generally axiallyinwardly extending air circulation promoting vane elements on the coveradapted to extend inwardly through the air circulation apertures, saidvane extensions including oppositely tapering vane wings.

13. A cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel inwhich the wheel body has brake drum air circulation openings, a covermember having a series of generally axially inwardly extending aircirculation vane extensions, each of said extensions comprising agenerally axially creased body having oppositely sloping vane wings.

14. In a wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehiclewheel, an outer cover portion including central crown and trim ringsections having an annular inwardly extending juncture rib, and anattachment ring member in cluding a portion nested at the inside of thetrim ring section and having the outer margin interlocked with the outermargin of the trim ring section, said retaining ring having a ribportion complementary to and internested with said juncture rib and asecond rib radially inwardly from the internested rib as well as aradially inwardly extending retaining flange adapted to be engaged withretaining clips on a wheel.

15. In a wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehiclewheel having a wheel body formed with brake drum air circulationapertures, a circular cover member formed from sheet material andarranged to be placed at the outer side of the wheel, and a plurality ofgenerally axially inwardly extendin air circulation promoting vanesformed from sheet material on said cover member and disposed to beprojected through said apertures and to project substantially beyond theinner side of the cover member, said vanes being angled relative to thecover periphery to effect movement of air through said'ricgmturesAntharetatienadi-xtheewver withthe "wheel.

6.JIniaacnveristruetiireifiei a wheel; including flangedrel-trim;aridzasupportirigihom memhersjoined -to zitheirim-.andiprovided with-ispaced ;'$18!1S\.6rSe-Qpe11ingS,2a?circular rwheelecover 11BX- iten'ding rifrom thesrim @radiallyi-inw ardlysoversits 'jimction with :the v lcedy unember -a-nd -.hav-ir ig a -fspece-;between:. its outer ipetipheral za'nargin and athe-rim and;alscxahaving asradiallyainner portion :bottomedmmthe; body: member,-said. space defln- :ing remain circuiating passageway communicab ingwith thevwheel' openings, andetazpluralitymf vanes :iattaehed :to theunderside of r-ssaid eCOVGI :sedjaeent isaid wheel eepenings .iradiaily;.;outward 'iOff-Sfl-id" bcttcme DQI'fiOII-iT012 38SlStiHgiIHGiFGuh,tion (if-e211?"inssaickspace:anclzzqpenings.

1-17. In;a'=eover.structureior-sa wheel including a flanged tire rim anda. supporting body member Joined to the rim F-and ;provided with spaceditransverse -.0penings, a circular Wheel icover to extend. from the rimin spacedzrelation thereto :radially; inwardly I over -j unction of theE rim 'with :the =bodyimember :to 'afiord-.a-space: between theEOH'bBIiDBIiDhEKfil margin=of the .cover and the -rim,said cover alsohavinga iadially'innenpor- .tion for closely opposing the :body amember, said :space defining '-an .air circulating passagewaycommunicating with the wheel openings and' a member formed from sheet:material and ihaving --a [plurality of -vanes integrally struck :outtherefrom and leaving holes therein.- sai-d memberzbeing attached.- tothe .underside of said rcover liea opposite said =wheel iopeningsradially ioutwardf ofqsaid 'inner portionv fcroperation of said wanes.inhssisting in circulation ofairin said spaeeiandxopenings.

eel-Selma? coverstru ture-r forfaa rwheeh including atend from: therimin spaced:relation-therewith- =dia11y inwardly :over junction 10f theri'm *with the bodymember -.to -afi0rd -a=spaceibetweenwthe outerperipheral margin of the 'coverzandthearim,

.- said cover. alsohaving awradiallyi inner gportion forcloselyiopposing' the bodymember, said space defining anairacirculatingn passagewaycommuniseating with the wheel-(openings, and:amember .iormed. from esheet =material-and havingea ;.-plu

.1 rality of vanes integrally =-stnuck aout therefrom :and leaving.hcles therein :saiclgmemberebeingeattached to the underside efssaideovertoe-1 posite said wheel openings aradia-lly eutward0f saidinner-portionfor-operation; of: said vanes; in

assisting-in circulation of-:a.i1'.- inz said a-spaee sand 20ropeni-ngs, said cover and .said xnemher being closely relatedinthe/assembly? so that-said cover closes said holes.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

